Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-10-15
BRUCE COLLINS, TRAMP.
BY THOMAS p. MORGAN.

BY THOMAS p. MORGAN.
Bruce Collins strobe rather shakily
toward the rusty little depot at the foo'
of the hill A chilling wind whirled
around the corners and pierced his none
too thick rainment.
Three months before he had left
mother and sister in the East tc
seek better times in the West,
Upon reaching his destination, his
scanty funds were exhausted before he
obtained q cease" in the dirty
Office of the Western World, a
paper great only in name. 1t was
devoted, 80 the prospectus said, to
"promulgating the great truths of Pro
hibihon throughout the length and
breadth of this great nation, and par
ticularly Jimson County. No pump
kins or hoop-poles taken on subscrip-
ton"
For two weeks he worked faithfully,
putting into cold type glowing edito-
rails on "The Future of the Kansas
Rabbit" "Whither Are We Drifting ?"
and like thrilling subjects.
All of his wages, except the slice ne
cessity demanded, were sent to the
dear ones at home
Then he was Frustrated with ague, and
for nearly two months Bruce Collins
was the victim of one of the most ener-
waiting and torturous diseases that ever
cursed poor humanity. When he had
shaken it off he found himself almost
shaken to pieces in the operation.
How hard the first days work was to
the sick man, whose enfeebled frame
felt, at times, as if it must refuse to per-
form its mission!
Next morning telegram came to
him. It read:
Mother is dying. Come.
ALLIE"
Allie was his dear little sister. He
handed the telegram to the editor, and,
as the latter read it, Bruce drew on his
coat.
Are you going?" asked the pro-
mulgator of great truths, etc.
Certainly" Bruce answered, briefly
"But how can you? You have no
money"
"True. but I mast go! Why, man,
don't you understand? My dear old
mother is dying, and my sister is call
ing for me"
He started toward the door.
Hold on there" cried the editor.
You shall not go quite penniless.
Money with me is like angels visits,
remarkably scarce, but, for all that,
you shall not go wholly without funds.
Here are two dollars, which, in my
present condition, look as big as two
wagon wheels. Take them. L only
wish they were two hundred. Take
them, I say" as the other hesitated,
You are not robbing me. I caught
subscriber yesterday, and have the
promise of double quarter ad. from
Ghe new general store.
As Bruce was expressing his thanks
for the gift, which, though small, he
knew seemed almost like a little
fortune to the penniless editor, the
devil" very gravely got down from his
high stool, slowly fished an ink-be-
daubed quarter from his pocket, and
Oolemnly handed it to Bruce.
you've got to have it, !" he said, as
Bruce thrust back the grimy hand. |
tive got plenty more"
And although he knew the lad
fibbed. he took the money, after the
boy had threatened to drop it down a |
crack in the floor if he refused.
Then he passed, rather weakly, out
into the keen air. The editor opened
the door and shouted after him:
III you strike anybody who wants to |
purchase newspaper, remember that
the Western World is for sale. Be |
sure to tell him that we've got the |
largest bona fide circulation of any |
paper in the district. and that we ex-
pect to corrall the county printing"
Then he closed the door and poked |
the fire gravely, and remarked sagely: !
"A kind action is never lost"
You betl" the "devil" answered.
Then the Editor resumed his seldom
waiting for subscriber.
The waiting-room of the little depot
was warm. and Bruce edged toward
the stove with SILVER of satisfaction
Besides the regular throng of travel
ers and loungers. there were the men,
bers Of the Nonpareil Dramatic Com
pany. AS they proudly styled themselves.
They had given an entertainment in /
4